Can Vegetarians Eat Ramen Noodles? (2024)

Wondering if you can eat cheap ramen noodles on a vegetarian dietor even on a vegan diet? Well, I’ve got good news for you – yes, you can! But it’s not that simple. So keep reading to find out what you need to know about eating vegetarian ramen.

What Is Ramen?

Ramen noodles are made from wheat flour and oil, usually with a few extra ingredients for flavor, such as salt, or additional fillers such as potato starch - and that's it! All these ingredients are 100% vegetarian, and even 100% vegan!

So, then what's the problem with eating ramen noodles as a vegetarian or even as a vegan? It's the seasoning packets that accompany the noodles which are nearly always decidedly not vegetarian, as they usually contain such appetizing ingredients as "powdered cooked chicken" or "dehydrated beef extract". To be 100% clear: The ramen noodles themselves are vegetarian, but the little seasoning packets are usually not. But, keep reading...

The one major exception to this rule is Top Ramen brand Soy Sauce and Chili flavors, which contains no animal ingredients at all, including in the flavoring packet and is both vegetarian and vegan. So by all means, stock up on this veganramen brand! Look for the Top Ramen packages at your grocery store. Top Ramen's chili flavored ramen is also vegetarian and vegan, though it is not as common as the Soy Sauce flavor.

But be careful! Make sure you don't accidentally purchase Maruchan Original flavor, which is also in a blue packagebut is NOT vegetarian. If you want to make sure to purchase a vegetarian and vegan ramen, be sure you're getting Top Ramen brand.When in doubt, read the label!

Health food stores may carry vegetarian ramen noodle brands, though they aren't as cheap as you might expect, and if the main reason you eat ramen is that it's cheap, well, there’s no reason to purchase ramen if it's not budget-friendly! If it's convenience you’re after, then look for Soken brand vegetarian ramen (with such awesome flavors as "Spicy Dragon", "Bengal Curry" and Wasabi) or Dr. Mc Dougall's ramen noodle soup cups. These brands are clearly labeled as vegetarian or vegan, so there's no real need to read the ingredients list. And finally, though the package says "Vegetable" instead of "vegetarian", Koyo brand vegetable ramens are indeed vegetarian and vegan. If you can't find them locally, they're available pretty cheap on Amazon.

Some vegetarians and vegans choose to still purchase the ramen noodles and then just throw away the spice flavor packets and use their own seasonings, such as curry powder, hot sauce, or sesame oil and soy sauce or tamari.Whether or not this fits your definition of vegetarian is entirely up to you.

Vegetarian Ramen Noodle Brands

  • Top Ramen Soy Sauce Flavor (their original)
  • Top Ramen Chili Flavor(the green and black one)
  • Soken Brand Ramen
  • Dr. McDougall’s Ramen Noodle Cups

Vegetarian Ramen Noodle Recipes

Here are a few extra tips if you’re looking to save money on a vegetarian diet or eat cheaply with ramen noodles:

Learn More About Vegetarian and Vegan Eating

Tips

  • If there’s anAsian grocery storein your area, check to see if they carry vegetarian ramen, as chances are their prices will be a bargain compared to your regular grocer.
  • Most grocery wholesalers stock ramen inbulk packages. The stuff lasts forever, so buy some vegetarian ramen in bulk and save some money!

Can Vegetarians Eat Ramen Noodles? (1)

Can Vegetarians Eat Ramen Noodles? (2024)

FAQs

Can Vegetarians Eat Ramen Noodles? ›

What Is Ramen? Ramen noodles are made from wheat flour and oil, usually with a few extra ingredients for flavor, such as salt, or additional fillers such as potato starch - and that's it! All these ingredients are 100% vegetarian, and even 100% vegan!

Can you eat ramen as a vegetarian? ›

In and of themselves, traditional ramen noodles are vegan. They're just wheat, salt, and water. That said, there are some things you might want to look out for. To begin with, the broth might contain meat ingredients.

Which brands of ramen are vegetarian? ›

Here are 10 vegan instant ramen brands you need to try.
  • ZENB Ramen.
  • Chef Woo Instant Ramen.
  • Dr. McDougall's Right Foods Ramen.
  • Annie Chun's Ramen Bowls.
  • Lotus Foods Rice Ramen.
  • Ocean's Halo Instant Ramen Noodle Bowls.
  • Noodelist Premium Plant-Based Instant Noodles.
  • Trader Joe's Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles.
Jul 21, 2024

How do you know if ramen is vegetarian? ›

Check the ingredients. Noodles are usually vegetarian (not always vegan though), but the broth most likely will include chicken, beef, pork items.

What noodles can vegetarians eat? ›

Ramen noodles, often called Chinese noodles, are typically made from wheat flour and lye water (kansui), making them a great option for vegetarians and vegans. It's worth mentioning, though, that some noodle varieties incorporate eggs as a binder.

Is Korean ramen vegetarian or non veg? ›

It is non-vegetarian Korean ramen. It is a chicken that is paired with a very spicy sauce. It is a perfect mix of little salty and spicy. These flavours meld together to create a unique taste.

Does ramen have gelatin? ›

The pork bones are cooked for hours over high heat so the collagen from the bones has time to transform into gelatin. This broth is also rich in minerals as the marrow and fats from the bone release all the good stuff too. The soup has a silky texture and a cloudy coloring – Tonkotsu is truly heartwarming stuff.

Which Ramyun is vegetarian? ›

Product information
Brand‎Nongshim
Ingredient Type‎vegetarian
Package Information‎Packet
Manufacturer‎Nongshim
Additives‎‎Preservative Free, GMO Free, No MSG, Alcohol Free, Vegan
15 more rows

Is Ramen Express actually vegetarian? ›

Enjoy the taste of delish vegetarian noodles or dress em up any way you want. There's no rules when it comes to U.S. made Ramen Express. So go ahead add your favorite toppings. With chicken, beef, hotter & spicier chili and shrimp, there's no limit to your noodle slurp.

Does Maruchan ramen have pork? ›

Among all Maruchan products, only two items contain any pork ingredients. These are Ramen Noodle Soup Pork Flavor and the Taste of Asia Bowl Hearty Pork Tonkotsu Flavor.

What ramen does not have meat? ›

Here are seven vegan ramen noodle options that will satisfy your umami taste buds:
  • Dr. McDougall's Right Foods. ...
  • Nissin Top Ramen. Perhaps the most popular ramen company in North America, Nissin offers two vegan flavors—Soy Sauce and Chili. ...
  • Nissin Cup Noodles. ...
  • Koyo. ...
  • Thai Kitchen. ...
  • Crystal Noodle. ...
  • Lotus Foods.

How do vegetarians add protein to ramen? ›

The main source of protein in their vegan ramen noodles comes from pumpkin seed protein. Many athletes use their ramen noodles because of the protein content. To spruce my ramen bowls up, I added charred and steamed bell peppers and baby bok choy. You could also add my smoky tofu if you really want this high protein!

Which cup noodles are vegetarian? ›

Check each product page for other buying options.
  • Nongshim. Soon Instant Vegan Ramen Noodle Soup Cup, 6 Pack, Microwaveable Safe Cup, Vegan Meatless Ramen. ...
  • NISSIN. Cup Noodles Stir Fry Noodles in Sauce, Sweet Chili, 2.89 Ounce (Pack of 6) ...
  • CHEF WOO. ...
  • Mike's Mighty Good. ...
  • NISSIN. ...
  • RAMEN EXPRESS. ...
  • Dr. ...
  • RAMEN EXPRESS.

Can vegetarians eat instant ramen? ›

To be 100% clear: The ramen noodles themselves are vegetarian, but the little seasoning packets are usually not. But, keep reading...

What types of ramen are vegetarian? ›

  • Immi Plant-Based Ramen.
  • Japan Gold USA.
  • Koyo Vegan Ramen.
  • Lotus Foods Rice Ramen.
  • Mike's Mighty Good.
  • Ocean's Halo Vegan Big Noodle Bowls.
  • Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen.
  • Sun Noodle Craft Ramen.
Sep 29, 2023

Can vegetarians eat spaghetti? ›

Vegetarians can eat pasta. The only ingredients included in dried pasta are usually wheat flour and water. Fresh pasta usually includes egg. If you are a vegetarian that does not consume eggs, be sure to check that the pasta you are buying does not have egg listed as an ingredient.

What is non-veg in ramen? ›

Base Ramen Non-Veg is a traditional Japanese ramen dish featuring a flavorful broth made from a meat-based stock, such as pork or chicken. It is complemented by tender slices of meat, typically pork or chicken, along with other traditional toppings like bamboo shoots, seaweed, and green onions.

Can vegetarians eat Shin ramen? ›

While Shin Ramyun is a popular instant noodle, it is not suitable for vegetarians due to its beef extract and other animal-derived ingredients. Introduction: Shin Ramyun, a popular instant noodle brand from South Korea, has garnered a global following for its rich, spicy flavor and chewy noodles.

What to add to ramen vegetarian? ›

Use your favorite toppings.

Keep it simple with the ramen noodles and broth. Craving a spicy vegetarian ramen? Add some hot sauce, chili oil, or sriracha. Some other yummy toppings include nori, baby bok choy, bamboo shoots, sweet corn, bean sprouts, crispy extra firm tofu, and more.

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